VIDEO: Fiat Engineer Explains the Differences Between the US- and Euro-Spec 500

During the U.S. presentation of the new 2012 Fiat 500, the Italian company's Chief Engineer Fabio Dimuro explained to journalists the main differences and changes compared to the European specification model. These include - but are not limited to- exterior and interior improvements, the introduction of a more appropriate for American consumers Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission, additional insulation that helped reduce powertrain noise levels from 76 db to 71 db, the addition of MultiAir intake system to the 1.4-liter engine, while Fiat and Chrysler also worked together to redesign the car's rear-axle. Hop over the jump to watch the video.

Via Youtube [Thanks for the tip Dario]

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VIDEO: Fiat Airs first U.S. Commercial for the new 500

Fiat has released the first U.S. commercial featuring it's 500 super-mini urging buyers to "live their life with passion". Priced at $15,500, which should certainly test your passion tolerance, the 500 will be available at 130 dealerships across the country with a 101 hp 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder engine. Check out the video after the break to see if you can resist Fiat's Jedi-like mind-control techniques.

The little Cinquecento will have both manual and automatic transmissions and the all-important for the U.S. market, XXL cup-holders as standard. Customers can choose between three trim levels – Pop, Sport and Lounge, and numerous exterior and interior color combos.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Fiat 500 Races Koenigsegg CCX in Swedish Webhost Ad

Here's a car race with a difference: an automotive remake of the classic Tortoise and the Hare story, starring a Fiat 500 as the tortoise and a Koenigsegg CCX as the hare. Well, not a real 500 and CCX; these are 1:24 scale models, and the whole thing is filmed in stop motion. It was made by Swedish filmmaker and photographer Robin Danehav as an advertisement for Binero, a Swedish webhosting service.

That's why this video is called 'Binero vs. Loopia', with Loopia being Binero's major competitor in what is no doubt a hotly contested segment of the market (well, I guess there are over 9 million potential customers in Sweden).

I think the moral here is...if you want fast webhosting, go for Loopia, but if you want webhosting that really cares and likes Apple products...try Binero? Eh, there must be something lost in translation, I think. Anyways, it's a cute video all the same and very well made.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

By Tristan Hankins

Hat tip to Conrad!

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New Fiat 500 Prima Edizione: Special Edition Version for U.S. Market

We assume you already know that Fiat is planning to kick off sales of the retro-styled 500 mini in North America at the end of 2010, so let us share the latest news. Fans of the Italian brand here in the States will be treated with the limited-run Fiat 500 'Prima Edizione' (Italian for First Edition), of which only 500 examples will be built.

The announcement was made at the annual convention of the Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited that took place in Asheville, NC, this past weekend. "The Fiat Cinquecento Prima Edizione was developed especially with the Fiat fans in mind," said Laura Soave, Head of Fiat North America.

So, is there something special about the 500 'Prima Edizione'? Well, not really - unless you think highly of badges and a numbered plaque. The limited edition U.S. market 500 will be available exclusively with a 1.4-liter MultiAir gasoline engine matched to a manual gearbox. Buyers can order the car in either Bianco (White), Rosso (Red) or Grigio (Gray) exterior color.

Those interested can reserve the 500 Prima Edizione through the dedicated website "www.ciaofiat.com" that will be made available at a later date.

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VIDEO: Fiat 500 & 500C with New Two-Cylinder Turbo Engine

The crew from Fiat have published some B-roll footage of the 500 hatch and cabriolet models fitted with the Italian firm's new 0.9-liter turbocharged two-cylinder gasoline unit as well as a separate (and somewhat less appealing) video of the engine alone.

The Twinair unit the first of a new family of two-cylinder engines that will be used on numerous A- and B-segment cars of the Fiat Group. This particular version produces 85HP propelling the 500 hatch from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 11 seconds and returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100km (57.4mpg US) with C02 emissions of just 95g/km. Read more about the new Fiat 500s in our previous post here.

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VIDEO: 2010 Fiat Punto EVO Presentation Aboard the Decks of Italy's Newest Aircraft Carrier

Unveiled in a world premiere at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2010 Punto Evo replaces the Grande Punto in Fiat's European passenger car range. Despite the name change, the differences between the two models are limited to a new nose job, some minor cosmetic tweaks at the back, a restyled dashboard and the introduction of two new powerplants to the lineup. The Punto EVO is scheduled to go on sale in mid October. Hit the jump to watch the videos that include footage from the presentation of the car on the decks of Italy's newest aircraft carrier, Cavour, in La Spezia, Italy.

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Fiat 500C: New Video with Driving Footage of the Convertible Model

Here's the first driving footage of Fiat's brand-new 500C convertible model that was revealed to the world for the first time at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The new variant of the 500 that features an electric-sliding fabric top enters the European market two years after the launch of the fixed-roof model. Currently, Fiat offers the 500C with 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter petrol and 1.3-liter diesel engines.

Although the Italians have not announced an Abarth model yet, we wouldn't be at all surprised if Fiat adds a sporty variant to the range in the very near future. For more information and a mega gallery of the 500C with 105 high-res photos, click here to check out our previous story.

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Fiat X1/9 Monster Truck with V8 Engine - with Video

We're pretty sure that when Bertone's Marcello Gandini was designing the Fiat X1/9 back in the late 70s it would have never crossed his mind that someone from Tennessee could create a monster out of Fiat's mid-engined baby sportscar. The owner of the car dropped the soulless body of the X1/9 atop a shortened Ford F350 truck frame complete with a 351 V8 engine. The vehicle's seller supports on eBay that his creation is 'a real head turner'. We couldn't agree more - once you see it you turn your head the other way... Video and pictures after the jump.

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Via: Cardomain , Link: eBay

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Video: Funny Fiat Strada Adventure TV Advert

This witty TV spot featuring Fiat's small pick-up truck comes to us from Brazil. The ad shows a young couple getting ready to 'rock-and-roll' inside the Strada Adventure when the busty femme-fatale asks the man for protection... -Video after the jump

Via: Autoblog.it

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Video: Audi Q7 vs Fiat 500 Crash Test from ADAC

Try to imagine what would happen if a large SUV like the Audi Q7 crashed into a small mini car like the Fiat 500. Not sure? Well, Germany’s automobile club ADAC performed a “David vs Goliath” crash test between the two cars, but unlike the biblical story, David aka the Fiat 500, did not even come close to winning this match.

The two cars collided head on at an average speed of 56 km/h (around 35mph). According to ADAC, whereas the driver and passengers of the Audi Q7 would have made it out of the crash with minor and non life-threatening injuries, the risk of serious injuries in the Fiat 500 was surprisingly high for both front and rear passengers. However despite what you may think, ADAC’s prime objective wasn’t to show that a large SUV is safer than a minicar but to point out that automakers should take smaller sized vehicles into consideration when they design a large size model. –Video after the jump

Via: Motorpasion , Source: ADAC

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Video: Fiat 500 Abarth Race Track Driving & Beauty Shots

The new 500 Abarth, which was first introduced at the 78th Geneva Motor show earlier this year, is due to go on sale from July 19 in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, France and the Netherlands. Aside from the base 135Hp version, Fiat has also introduced a limited production variant called “Opening Edition” that squeezes 160Hp from the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine (click here for details and 42 high res images). Follow the jump to see the video that includes driving footage on the race track as well as exterior and interior shots. -Continued

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2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Promotional Video

Fiat has unleashed the first promotional video of its… white-hot 500 Abarth that is set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As you’d expect, the promo film also pays a tribute to the 500 Abarth’s racing forefather that stared in the world of motorsports back in the sixties. Back to the 21st century, the new 500 Abarth is powered by a small but punchy 135 HP 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 135 HP to the front wheels through a five speed manual gearbox. –Check out the video after the jump

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Video: Fifth Gear Tests The New Fiat 500

The blokes at UK’s Fifth Gear TV show got their hands on Fiat’s new 500 taking it for a first drive. As you can see in the video, 5th Gear’s Tom Ford was more than impressed with the Italian rival to BMW’s MINI in the premium mini segment. Ford concludes that the 500 is a well made, practical and enjoyable mini with tons of character that may not be as sharp to drive as the MINI but it’s cheaper, almost as spacious and at least as much of a pleasure to sit in.

Via: Autoblog.it

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Fiat Grande Punto Abarth Driving Video

Here’s the second (and far more interesting) episode of the Grande Punto Abarth Videos were you get to see and hear the 155Hp 1.4-litre turbocharged GTi on a twisty Mediterranean mountain route. Abarth will rollout the Grande Punto in Italy during September 2007 with plans to expand to additional European markets in early 2008. US? you wish...

Links: Exterior & Interior Video , Press Release & Images , 180 Hp “Esseesse” Version

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Video: Fiat Grande Punto Abarth Part I

Our second video of the day (see the ’08 Mercedes C-Class Estate here) concerns Fiat’s new compact GTi, the Grande Punto Abarth. Equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit delivering 155 Hp, the Abarth will hopefully revive the Uno Turbo and Punto GT heritage. We intentionally skipped the Punto HGT with the normally aspirated 130Hp 1.8L engine, as we’d rather forget we ever drove it. This video includes still exterior and interior shots. Later on the day we'll add the driving video.

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Video: Fiat 500 Abarth Testing In Nurburgring

Due to make its public debut in 2008 -most probably at the Geneva Show next March, the intriguing Fiat 500 Abarth is undergoing through its final test faze. In this video, we see a lightly camouflaged 500 Abarth performing test runs at the Nurburgring race-track in Germany. Albeit the author of the video presumes that the 500 Abarth will be equipped with a 200Hp strong 1.6-litre Turbocharged petrol unit, we highly doubt it as our information talks about the 1.4-litre T-Jet engine found in the Grande Punto (120Hp) and its Abarth sibling (150Hp).

Via: Autoblog.it

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Show Girls - Fiat flashes it's new models at the Poland Motor Show...

Those of you that have visited a Fiat, Lancia or Alfa Romeo stand at any major European car show should know from first hand that when it comes to female models, the Italians get straight 'A's. Style over substance? Perhaps, but who cares! Watch a... very "juicy" video from the Fiat Group presentation at the 2006 Poland Auto Motor Show.

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